It’s a New ‘Dawn’ for the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Series

The Black Badge series was designed for a new generation of Rolls-Royce enthusiasts, specifically lads who adore luxury and crave a dynamic vehicle that exemplifies their high levels of success. At the 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Rolls-Royce unveiled the newest member of the series, the Dawn Black Badge, a vehicle described as the most uncompromising expression of open-top luxury in the world.

The Dawn Black Badge delivers a new and darker sensual dimension. Presented in the deepest and most intense shade of black to ever grace a production car, it’s the perfect vehicle for high achievers possessing a dark and restless spirit. Don’t forget the roof that opens in a “silent ballet” it’s black too. So is the leather upholstery on the rear deck.

Inspired by Rolls-Royce’s aviation heritage and echoing advanced production techniques for stealth aircraft, delicate threads of aircraft-grade aluminium are woven together and then bonded in carbon fibre to form the surfaces. Then they are finished with six coats of lacquer before being left to cure for 72 hours and hand-polished to Rolls-Royce’s hallmark mirror finish.

The bold design ethos extends beautifully into the interior – Expanded levels of black leather are accented by Mandarin highlights, including a strip of orange highlight which encircles the cabin at hip-height. The orange highlight is designed to evoke the sunset before passengers are immersed in the darkness of the cabin. In a nod to Rolls-Royce pioneer Sir Malcolm Campbell, his famous ‘Infinity’ rating logo is embroidered into the car’s rear waterfall.

Dawn’s powerhouse 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 engine generates an extra 30bhp over its predecessors, bringing the total to 593bhp. With a top speed of 250km/h, the Dawn can accelerate from 0-100 in 4.9 seconds. The fuel consumption isn’t great, but if that were a concern, you’d drive a hybrid instead.

Fundamental changes to the transmission and throttle give Dawn an enhanced feeling of urgency without diminishing its position as a luxurious open-top tourer. The drive-train, ZF 8-Speed gearbox and steering rack work intuitively to create a more spirited drive depending on throttle and steering input. A more spirited exhaust system celebrates the V12 engine with a menacing bass-baritone, announcing its arrival with authority.

Rolls-Royce signature ornament The Spirit of Ecstasy is transformed through a high-gloss vamp and finished in perfectly executed black chrome. This darker aesthetic extends to certain chrome surfaces including the front grille surround, boot lid finisher, exhaust pipes and air inlet finisher. Finally, the ‘Double R’ signifiers on the Rolls-Royce badges are inverted in colour, confirming the creation of a true alter-ego.

The noir- inspired Dawn is not only the new face of the Black Badge series but also the realisation of modern luxury and success. Dawn is available now to commission.